Blackface Controversy at Toronto

Submitted by Doug Lederman on November 12, 2009 - 3:00am

The University of Toronto is the latest institution to be discussing the meanings of and hurt associated with blackface. Maclean's[1] reported that the university had a town hall discussion following word that some students dressed for Halloween as "the Jamaican Bobsled Team," darkening their faces. While the students maintained that they were not trying to be offensive, members of the Black Students' Association said that blackface is inherently offensive.